Chicago Jazz?!
Question: In German we use the expression 'Chicago Jazz' for the New Orleans type of jazz (old jazz of the 1920s and early 1930s) performed by white musicians. 'Chicago Jazz' shouldn't be mixed up with Dixieland Jazz.
In 'Chicago Jazz' the individual solo is much more important than in traditional New Orleans Jazz and the saxophone gets a prominent part in the orchestra. Furthermore, there is a kind of emotional reservation in 'Chicago Jazz'.
Prominent musicians of 'Chicago Jazz' are Bix Beiderbecke, Jimmy McPartland, Frank Teschemacher, Bud Freeman, Gene Krupa, Frank Trumbauer, Red Nichols, Hoagy Carmichael, Adrian Rollini, Eddie Condon, Joe Venuti, and young Benny Goodman.
When I tried to find an article in English Wikipedia I couldn't find an article on what we call 'Chicago Jazz'.
My question is: Do you use the expression 'Chicago Jazz' in English? How would you call the style of the above-mentioned musicians?
Answers: In German we use the expression 'Chicago Jazz' for the New Orleans type of jazz (old jazz of the 1920s and early 1930s) performed by white musicians. 'Chicago Jazz' shouldn't be mixed up with Dixieland Jazz.
In 'Chicago Jazz' the individual solo is much more important than in traditional New Orleans Jazz and the saxophone gets a prominent part in the orchestra. Furthermore, there is a kind of emotional reservation in 'Chicago Jazz'.
Prominent musicians of 'Chicago Jazz' are Bix Beiderbecke, Jimmy McPartland, Frank Teschemacher, Bud Freeman, Gene Krupa, Frank Trumbauer, Red Nichols, Hoagy Carmichael, Adrian Rollini, Eddie Condon, Joe Venuti, and young Benny Goodman.
When I tried to find an article in English Wikipedia I couldn't find an article on what we call 'Chicago Jazz'.
My question is: Do you use the expression 'Chicago Jazz' in English? How would you call the style of the above-mentioned musicians?
Greetings, Bixlives, I have always enjoyed your answers and insights on the Jazz section of Y! Answers.
I know exactly what you are talking about, but I'm not sure there is a proper label for that genre of music. I've always called it 'Chicago Jazz', 'Hot Jazz' or 'Pre-Swing'. You are correct in your description and in the major proponents of this style. It definitely is not 'New Orleans' or 'Dixieland' Jazz, as those encompass different arrangments and stylings. There is something called 'Traditional' Jazz, but that tends to relate to white musicians (many from England) who emulated and revived 'New Orleans' or 'Dixieland' styles. There was a movement in the 1950s called 'Mainstream' Jazz that included guys like Buck Clayton, Coleman Hawkins, 'Sweets' Edison and Roy Eldridge, who resisted playing bop or dixieland styles. This is somewhat close to the 'Chicago' style of the late 20s and early 30s.
To answer this question once and for all, I would agree with calling it 'Chicago Jazz', as that is what best describes it. After all, most of these styles were just labels put on this music by record execs and jazz critics anyway.
This is a good question!!
We just call it all Jazz.
I don't have an answer, but I'm curious as to what other groups would fall under this category. Also, I've been coming across a group from the depression era called "South Side Chicago". Where do they fit in the mix?
I am curious as both a Chicago native and a new jazz enthusiast who is trying to get a grip on everything.